The three pillars of Zen Teaching / Practice / Enlightenment

Compiled & Edited, with translations, introductions & notes by Philip Kapleau.

In this classic work of spiritual guidance, the founder of the Rochester Zen Center presents a comprehensive overview of Zen Buddhism. Exploring the three pillars of Zen, teaching, practice, and enlightenment, Roshi Philip Kapleau, the man who founded one of the oldest and most influential Zen centers in the United States, presents a personal account of his own experiences as a student and teacher, and in so doing gives readers invaluable advice on how to develop their own practices. The Three Pillars of Zen is the definitive introduction to the history and discipline of Zen.

A foundational text introducing Western readers to authentic Zen training. It emphasizes that Zen is not mere philosophy but a practical, experiential discipline consisting of zazen (meditation), teaching (teisho), and personal guidance (dokusan).